Expandable tape

ABSTRACT

A widthwise expandable tape is provided, the tape having a first adhesive side, a second adhesive side, and a flexible region between the two. The tape is adapted to be expandable and contractable in a widthwise direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to adhesive devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a widthwise expandabletape.

Description of Related Art

During many interior construction, manufacturing, and/or maintenanceprojects, it is often desirable to tape up plastic or other protectivesheeting to walls, ceilings, floors, other sheets, and the like. Thisserves to isolate certain areas from dust, paint, dust, and othermaterial that may spread during the work. This sheeting is oftendifficult to hold in place, especially for an extended period of time.This difficulty can be caused by wind or other air flow in the interior(even the opening and closing of a door), as well as bumping the sheets,stepping on them, pushing them to the side when entering/exiting thesheeted area, and the like. In these cases, the plastic sheeting can bepulled away from the tape and will fall off, causing either the spreadof the undesirable material, or a stoppage in work to re-apply theplastic sheet.

Therefore, what is needed is a device that may allow plastic sheetingand other material to be taped up in a work area that may also provide aresilience against movement to keep the taping attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases,interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem,and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

In one aspect, a widthwise expandable tape is provided. The tape has afirst adhesive strip defining one lengthwise edge of the widthwiseexpandable tape, and a second adhesive strip defining the otherlengthwise edge of the widthwise expandable tape. Adhesive is disposedon a bottom face of each strip. A flexible region joins the first andsecond strip such that they are parallel, or at least approximatelyparallel (at an angle less than 45 degrees to each other) when at rest.The flexible region is adapted to allow a movement of the secondadhesive strip with respect to the first adhesive strip upon anapplication of a force to one of the strips.

In another aspect, a protective hanging system in a room of a buildingis provided. The system comprises a wall, and a sheet, the wall andsheet being connected together by a widthwise expandable tape. The tapehas a first adhesive strip defining one lengthwise edge of the widthwiseexpandable tape, and a second adhesive strip defining the otherlengthwise edge of the widthwise expandable tape. Adhesive is disposedon a bottom face of each strip. A bellows-shaped flexible region joinsthe first and second strip such that they are parallel or at leastapproximately parallel when at rest. The flexible region is adapted toallow a movement of the second adhesive strip with respect to the firstadhesive strip upon an application of a force to one of the strips. Invarying embodiments, the flexible region may deform slightly under aweight of the plastic sheets, or may be resilient enough to support thesheet without deformation.

In yet another aspect, a widthwise expandable tape wrapped about a rolland packaged is provided. The tape has a first adhesive strip definingone lengthwise edge of the widthwise expandable tape, and a secondadhesive strip defining the other lengthwise edge of the widthwiseexpandable tape. Adhesive is disposed on a bottom face of each strip. Abellows-shaped flexible region joins the first and second strip suchthat they are parallel or at least approximately parallel when at rest.The flexible region is adapted to allow a movement of the secondadhesive strip with respect to the first adhesive strip upon anapplication of a force to one of the strips. The tape is wrapped androlled around, for example, a spool, having a first portion of the tapeover a second portion. In this embodiment, the tape can be efficientlypackaged and distributed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 provides a front view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 provides a side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 provides a top view of an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a room having sheets held in placeby an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of an embodiment the presentinvention in a rolled form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodimentsof the invention and does not represent the only forms in which thepresent invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The descriptionsets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing andoperating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

Generally, the present invention concerns a tape having a first adhesiveside, a second adhesive side, and a flexible region between the two. Thetape is adapted to be expandable and contractable in a widthwisedirection. In one embodiment, the flexible region may be a bellowsstructure allowing expansion and contraction.

In an embodiment of use, the tape may be used to connect plastic orsimilar protective sheets to walls, floors, ceilings, and the like forprotecting an area during an interior construction, maintenance,manufacturing processes, and the like. The tape, by virtue of itswidthwise expandability, more resiliently holds the sheets in place andcan accommodate slight movement of the sheets without being pulled off asurface to which the tape is attached.

The tape of the present invention may be provided in any manner to aconsumer. In a particular embodiment, the tape may be provided in aroll. In a further embodiment, the tape may be provided in a roll havinga liner between the adhesive layer and a top of a tape layer below theliner.

The tape may be formed of any material capable of having an adhesiveapplied to a bottom portion, and capable of supporting two items adheredtogether. Examples of materials of which the tape may be made include,but are not limited to plastics, paper, metal, fabrics, elastomers,composites, and the like. Preferably, the flexible region may be made ofa material capable of flexion, and/or capable of being pre-formed in abellows profile.

The sheets which the tape contemplated herein is intended to be hung mayvary in weight from approximately 0.5-5 pounds. As such, the tapeflexible region is resilient enough to not substantially deform under aweight of the sheets. In most embodiments, multiple strips of the tapewill be used to support a single sheet, such that while a single stripmay deform under the weight of the entire sheet, it will only besupporting a portion of the sheet's weight.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an embodiment of theexpandable tape is shown. The tape 1 has two adhesive strips 11 onopposite widthwise ends of its body. These strips 11 are flat regionshaving an adhesive 12 disposed on a bottom surface thereof. Between thetwo strips 11, and connecting them together, is a flexible region 10.This flexible region 10 is shown in this figure as having a bellowsprofile. However, it should be understood that the flexible region maybe formed in any manner allowing it to contract and expand in awidthwise direction, thereby allowing the adhesive strips 11, orportions thereof, to move towards and away from each other relative tothe width of the tape 1.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 provide a frontal, side and top view, respectively, ofan embodiment of the tape. As with FIG. 1, strips 11 are positioned onboth sides of the tape, with the flexible region 10 connecting the two.This structure allows the adhesive strips 11 to move towards and awayfrom each other relative to the width of the tape 1.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a room having a plurality ofplastic sheets taped up around a work area using the tape of the presentinvention. The room 50 has sheets 51 blocking off an area of the room50. This area is protected from dust, paint, particles, and the like. Anumber of tape strips 1 are used to connect the plastic sheets to thewalls, and to each other. Each tape strip 1 comprises two of theadhesive strips, and the flexible region 10. Upon application of a force(be it wind, a contact, or otherwise), the flexible region 10 moves,allowing the strips and sheet to move to accommodate this force.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the tape of the present inventionon a roll. Roll 60 shows the tape in a rolled fashion, with the adhesivestrips 11 aligned as well as the bellows-shaped flexible portion of thisembodiment.

While several variations of the present invention have been illustratedby way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparentthat further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scopeof the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, itis to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptationsare within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and areinclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as setforth.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hanging system in a room of a buildingcomprising: at least one of a wall and a ceiling; a sheet; and wherein afirst side of the sheet is connected to the at least one of the wall andthe ceiling by a first widthwise expandable tape and a second widthwiseexpandable tape, wherein the first widthwise expandable tape is spacedapart from the second widthwise expandable tape, each of the firstwidthwise expandable tape and second widthwise expandable tapecomprising: a first adhesive strip defining one lengthwise edge of thewidthwise expandable tape; a second adhesive strip defining the otherlengthwise edge of the widthwise expandable tape; a flexible regionconnecting the first adhesive strip to the second adhesive strip, theflexible region adapted to lengthen and contract to allow a movement ofthe second adhesive strip away from and towards the first adhesive stripin a widthwise direction of the widthwise expandable tape upon anapplication of a force to at least one of the first adhesive strip andthe second adhesive strip; wherein the first widthwise expandable tapecomprises a first quantity of adhesive on a bottom face of the firstadhesive strip, and comprises a second quantity of adhesive disposed ona bottom face of the second adhesive strip, the bottom face of thesecond adhesive strip facing a same direction as the bottom face of thefirst adhesive strip.
 2. The hanging system of claim 1 furthercomprising a third piece of the widthwise expandable tape connecting thesheet to one of a second wall, the ceiling, a floor, and a second sheet.3. The hanging system of claim 1 wherein the first widthwise expandabletape flexible region is formed having a bellows shape which isconfigured to lengthen and contract along the bellows shape in responseto the force applied to at least one of the first adhesive strip or thesecond adhesive strip.
 4. The hanging system of claim 1 wherein thefirst adhesive strip and second adhesive strip of the first widthwiseexpandable tape are substantially parallel when at rest.
 5. The hangingsystem of claim 1 wherein the first and second widthwise expandabletapes allow a force applied to the sheet to be transferred to at leastone of the first and second tape flexible portion.
 6. The hanging systemof claim 1 wherein the sheet is a plastic sheet.
 7. The hanging systemof claim 1 wherein the flexible region of the first widthwise expandabletape is adapted to allow a movement of the second adhesive strip withrespect to the first adhesive strip upon an application of the forcegreater than approximately 0.5 lb to at least one of the first adhesivestrip and the second adhesive strip.
 8. The hanging system of claim 3wherein the bellows of the tape are rounded.
 9. The hanging system ofclaim 3 wherein the bellows of the tape are angled.
 10. The hangingsystem of claim 1 wherein a spacing between the first widthwiseexpandable tape and the second widthwise expandable tape allows for aspacing between the sheet and the at least one of the wall and theceiling allowing a passage of air between the sheet and the at least oneof the wall and the ceiling.
 11. A tape assembly for use in a room of abuilding comprising: a sheet; and a first widthwise expandable tape, anda second widthwise expandable tape each comprising: a first adhesivestrip defining one lengthwise edge of the widthwise expandable tape; asecond adhesive strip defining the other lengthwise edge of thewidthwise expandable tape; a flexible region connecting the firstadhesive strip to the second adhesive strip, the flexible region adaptedto lengthen and contract to allow a movement of the second adhesivestrip away from and towards the first adhesive strip in a widthwisedirection of the widthwise expandable tape upon an application of aforce to at least one of the first adhesive strip and the secondadhesive strip; wherein the first adhesive strip of each of the firstand second widthwise expandable tape is connected to the sheet, whereinthe first widthwise expandable tape is spaced apart from the secondwidthwise expandable tape; wherein the first widthwise expandable tapecomprises a first quantity of adhesive on a bottom face of the firstadhesive strip, and comprises a second quantity of adhesive disposed ona bottom face of the second adhesive strip, the bottom face of thesecond adhesive strip facing a same direction as the bottom face of thefirst adhesive strip; and wherein the first widthwise expandable tapeflexible region is formed having a bellows shape which is configured tolengthen and contract along the bellows shape in response to the forceapplied to at least one of the first adhesive strip or the secondadhesive strip.
 12. The tape assembly of claim 11 wherein the secondadhesive strip of the first widthwise expandable tape is connected toone of a wall, a ceiling, and a second sheet.
 13. The tape assembly ofclaim 12 wherein the first and second widthwise expandable tapes allow aforce applied to the sheet to be transferred to at least one of thefirst and second tape flexible portion.
 14. The tape assembly of claim11 wherein the first adhesive strip and second adhesive strip of thefirst widthwise expandable tape are substantially parallel when at rest.15. The tape assembly of claim 11 wherein the flexible region of thefirst widthwise expandable tape is adapted to allow a movement of thesecond adhesive strip with respect to the first adhesive strip upon anapplication of the force greater than approximately 0.5 lb to at leastone of the first adhesive strip and the second adhesive strip.